The longest pleasure pier in the world

Southend today. Almost exactly a year - to the day - since the last time I was there. Very, very lucky with the weather.

It was bitterly cold at the end of the pier, which made the absence of McGinty’s all the more disappointing. I was looking forward to the traditional cheese and onion sandwich, sheltering from the wind as it battered the windows, and the waves crashed into the pier legs far below. Instead, though, after the mile and a quarter walk to the end, there was nothing for us to do, but turn around and walk back down to the landward end, almost unable to breathe as the furious wind blew along the river from London. It tore at our hair and clothes and turned our fingers purple and stiff, and we had no choice but to hide in a greasy cafe with oily table cloths, and warm our hands on big mugs of tea.

I have to give the town its due, though. It was a fun afternoon out, and the drive back along the front through Westcliffe, Leigh, and Hadleigh was interesting and highly reminiscent.

So was last night. I think I’ve been to every one of Mark’s pancake parties, the most recent being yesterday evening. So the sheet was rolled out to cover the kitchen floor, the kitchen table was filled with our contributions to the fillings and toppings, and we all clustered around his tiny two-ring hob, flipping batter in a tiny frying pan and a huge, sink-like wok.

I think we all did quite well. Ystabub made pancakes the colour and consistency of well tanned leather. Mark made little duvets. Nick and Michelle made a very competent stab at producing thoroughly edible pancakes that looked, smelt and probably actually tasted like pancakes. Rich surprised us all by not setting a tea towel on fire this time around. I was the only one who managed to flip a pancake right out of the pan and land it wet side down onto one of the rings of the cooker (it cooked a whole lot quicker after that). And Peter put his years at McDonalds to good use by putting us all to shame. He’s clearly a man who knows how to flip like a pro.

Inevitably, after so much batter, chocolate, syrup and cream I’m now fighting a fresh threat of spots just lurking under my skin.

Tea-tree a go-go.

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